Final Project

The Integrated Natural Resources and the EESC options of the MNR program require 2-3 credits of MNR 599 Non-thesis Research, which will be applied towards the Final Project requirement. The Fire Ecology and Management option also includes the potential to complete a similar Non-thesis Research Project. Two credits reflects the expectation that students will spend approximately 80 hours of effort over the course of 1 semester. The Non-thesis Project is intended to be a capstone experience where information and skills built during the student’s time at the University of Idaho are brought together in a synthesizing experience.

Students will work with their Advisors to identify specific areas of interest for the Final Project. The topic you choose should help you build skills related to your career goals. If you are a working professional in a related field, one option is to align your project with activities at work. Another option is to choose a topic you learned about in a class or through personal experience and would like to explore further.

Projects can range from a case study evaluation of a natural resource management issue, giving a research-based presentation at a conference, developing outreach materials, writing a research synthesis or a set of fact sheets, working with a NGO or other stakeholders to develop a policy statement, analyzing data to produce publishable research notes, creating informational modules or training lectures, or other products.

The first Project deliverable is the Proposal, which should be developed by the student and evaluated by the Advisor early in the final semester. The final project deliverable will depend on the format of the project, as described above. Regardless of the format, at the end of the semester in which the student is graduating, a final presentation of the project is required. This can be done from any location via live stream. The presentation will include an assessment of the Student Learning Outcomes from the program, as related to the student’s overall program.

MNR Student Learning Outcomes:

Learn and Integrate Master and integrate information and knowledge from ecological, social, economic and political perspectives – into a systems view of natural resource issues.

Think and Create Synthesize ideas and information to identify, analyze and problem-solve natural resource issues; demonstrate an application of this synthesis.

Clarify purpose and perspective Understand diverse viewpoints and perspectives, and apply these to the natural resources professions; demonstrate reflection and expanded understanding as applied to one’s professional goals.